Kimmel Center presents War Horse' on stage

The Kimmel Center’s Broadway Series has brought a number of top-flight touring shows to Philadelphia in recent years. The latest one, which opens this week, has credentials that can match or surpass any that have come before.

Now through December 2, the Kimmel is bringing “War Horse” to the Academy of Music. The show is a play based on the best-selling book of the same title by children’s writer Michael Morpurgo. It has been adapted for stage by Nick Stafford in association with Handspring Puppet Company.

The book, which was first published in Great Britain in 1982, is set in England in 1914 and tells the story of a young boy, Albert Narracott, and his horse, Joey.

When World War I begins, Joey is sold to the cavalry and shipped from England to France. The horse gets caught in enemy fire, survives, serves on both sides and eventually ends up in no man’s land. Albert takes off on a treacherous mission to find Joey and bring him home.

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“To look at war through the perspective of an animal is a real experience,” said Andrew Veenstra, who plays Albert, during a phone interview Monday afternoon. “The story is topical to all the emotions we feel even though it is a different era -- feelings of love, war and missing people you love.”

The play was first produced in London several years back and is still playing to packed houses at the New London Theatre in London’s West End.

The play opened on Broadway in 2011 and won five 2011 Tony Awards -- “Best Play,” “Best Direction of a Play,” “Best Scenic Design of a Play,” “Best Lighting Design of a Play” and “Best Sound Design of a Play.” Additionally, Adrian Kohler and Basil Jones of Handspring Puppet Company won the Special Tony Award for “War Horse.”

The show has gained international acclaim for its astonishing life-sized puppets (created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company) that bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to life on the stage. Making the intricate and elaborate horses was a painstaking process that took about seven months to a year for each horse. Each of the horses uses three puppeteers -- head, body and hind.

“What is amazing about the stage show is how well everything works together. The staging is really balanced. Noting overtakes anything else. The craftsmanship used in making these beautiful puppets is really amazing. It changes how we look at puppets,” said Veenstra.

Steven Spielberg’s film version of “War Horse” became a box office smash and was nominated for six Academy Awards including “Best Picture” and two Golden Globe Awards.

“When you say ‘War Horse’, people say -- oh, like the movie,” said Veenstra. “Actually, Steven Spielberg saw the London stage show and that’s what got him interested.”

The story, the acting and the impressive staging combine to make for a memorable theater experience.

“It’s a very emotional show for the actors and especially the audience,” said Veenstra. “It has so many highs and lows. What’s great about playing Albert is that it presents a challenge as an actor and gives me a chance to have a totally unique experience. It also gives me the opportunity to tell a story that makes people think and feel. You go on a journey with Albert and Joey and you see how the war affects them.”

Veenstra also spoke about what sets this show apart from all others.

“Until you see it, words don’t do it justice,” said Veenstra. “It’s an once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s not a show that can be done by regional or local theaters so you’ll never see it at that level. It’s closing soon both on Broadway and in London so this tour might be your first and last opportunity to see it.”

“War Horse” is running through December 2 at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, www.kimmelcenter.org, 215-893-1999). Tickets start at $25.